Well, Folk-N-Rollers...

I've just found out today that my musical mentor, recording partner, and fine, fine friend Don Richmond (and author, and teacher, and genius, and Goddess-knows what else!) is in the hospital in Alamosa, Colorado. As of this post, about 3:45 p.m., the news is that our friend has been diagnosed with malignant colon cancer, and that the doctors are working on Don's kidneys, which aren't working properly.

Please send Don and his wife Teri and Don's daughters and grandchildren your best wishes and prayers and hopes, and we'll all think good thoughts on his behalf - which is about all we can do at the moment.

Don is in ICU, and visiting is out of the question at this point except for Don's family... and I'm told that as Don is pretty out of it and uncomfortable, visitors, while appreciated, are rather in the way right now. Also, if Don's kidneys don't start functioning properly soon there's a chance he'll be moved to Denver, perhaps as early as tomorrow.

That's all I've got right now except hope, folks. Watch this post for updates as I have them, and I'll repeat, send those hopes and prayers and well-wishes to our friend Don Richmond.

Thanks folks, and Goddess bless,
Chipper

UPDATE AS OF 10:00 P.M. WEDNESDAY, 1 AUGUST

Well, we've just learned that Don's kidneys have been jumpstarted again, so that's good news. Overnight last night, his heart was misbehaving in some arhythmic way, and lots of effort was expended taking care of that problem, again successfully, it seems. More good news. Finally, its been definitively stated that the cancer has not spread to Don's liver, so still more good news.

But clearly, Don's body is reacting badly to the cancer and the surgery both... he still has lots and lots of fluid buildup in his lower body and is, needless to say, very uncomfortable. He is, in fact, delirious and out of it enough that he only recognizes even Teri occasionally. Not such good news. At present, the doctors are working mostly on stabilizing Don's body so they (and he) can concentrate on the cancer. There's talk of taking him to M.D. Anderson in Houston, TX for intensive (but unspecified, so far) treatment there.

There's one odd thing: Don had a colonoscopy just about eight months ago and nothing was found! The doctors speculate that the tumor may have been attached to the outside of Don's colon, and was thus missed. That certainly doesn't sound good to me....

So, our friend certainly isn't out of the woods yet. Even though Don is still in the hospital in Alamosa, CO and hasn't yet been moved, his condition is still delicate enough that visiting is out of the question. I long to run up to see my friend and offer support, but right now folks, it ain't an option. So continue sending Don and Teri and family all your good thoughts and prayers, and I'll keep y'all updated as I can.

Thanks, Chipper